COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

MOTION NO 3.

MOTION: Councillor M. Ardagh

"That the Manager give a report on the issues in connection with the new playground in Rathfarnham Castle Park and advise on the outcome of the discussions with the Residents Association, the OPW and the Council particularly in relation to security, car parking, planting and landscaping."

REPORT:

Officials from the Parks Department and the Roads Traffic Section met with representatives of Rathfarnham Castle Residents Association on the 10th April to discuss a number of issues including security, car parking and planting.

The following is a summary of matters discussed and actions proposed:

Roads Traffic Matters:

Car park at Rathfarnham Road:

Five-day pay and display managed parking will be in place for existing Castle car park by the time the playground opens. 

Following Parks Department discussions with the OPW it had been agreed that only two bus spaces are required.  Arrangements will be made by the Parks Department to remove one of the bus space markings and replace it with car parking spaces.

Double yellow lines and pay & display parking:

As per the Residents Association request, the Traffic Section have undertaken to extend the double yellow lines along Castleside Drive and if deemed necessary in The Woodlands and The Lakelands.

The Traffic Section has undertaken to include the area as part of the draft bye-laws.

Parks Department Matters:

Pedestrian pathway from the Playground to Rathfarnham Castle:

The Parks Department advised that a new path would be provided to bring visitors from the castle car park to the playground.  It was agreed that route of the pathway would be located as far as practicable from the boundary to the rear of  The Parklands having regard to the fact that there is an existing footpath, located to the south which also links the castle to the playground.

The Parklands boundary:

It was noted that residents in The Parklands are concerned about the permeability of the boundary between the west side of Parklands and the Park. The Parks Department undertook to review the files in relation to the planning history for Parklands.  The Parks Department clarified that it does not take private boundaries in charge and that the provision/improvement of the boundary to the rear of Parklands would be a matter for the owners of the properties concerned.

CCTV:

The Parks Department confirmed that infra-red CCTV will be installed in tandem with the opening of the playground.

Playground maintenance and inspection:

The playground will be the subject of daily inspection by depot staff and weekend inspection by the Park Ranger service.

Park opening and closing:

The Residents Association advised that at the general meeting of residents held on 31st March, park closing and general park security were raised as matters of fundamental importance to local residents. 

The Parks Department advised that the OPW security staff are not permitted to leave the building to open or close gates.  If the Park Ranger service is to lock the gates, this will require that Rathfarnham Castle Park be secured approximately one hour before normal park closing time.  This is to allow the rangers to return and clear Tymon Park by the official closing time.  As this arrangement might not suit the majority of residents in the vicinity of the park, the Parks department proposed to operate the arrangement on a trial basis and review after a number of weeks. 

In order to carry out the trial of completely closing the park, the Parks Department identified the need to provide lockable gates at a number of locations, for example at The Woodlands and Rathfarnham Wood.  This would also require agreement of the OPW to securing the park at the tearoom side and having the static guard in the castle facilitate Garda access as necessary.

Gateway at The Woodlands:

The Parks Department have undertaken to replace the existing double leaf vehicle entrance gate with a lockable pedestrian only gate at The Woodlands.

The Residents Association requested that the new pedestrian gate be re-positioned to immediately north of the existing gate directly on the curve of the park boundary wall and railing.  The Residents Association also advised that the owners of 10A are very much opposed to any relocation of the pedestrian gate.  The Parks Department will further explore the matter in conjunction with the Residents Association and the owners of 10A.

Soundproof barrier:

The Residents Association stated that, in fairness to all, the Council should, in consultation with them, in the event it is proposed to provide a sound barrier for the boundary with 10A, a similar barrier should also be provided to the boundaries with The Woodlands and The Lakelands. 

The Parks Department have undertaken to carry out noise monitoring pre and post playground opening to determine noise levels and to determine to determine what level of sound reduction might be required. 

Planting of clusters of trees:

The Parks Department have commenced the planting of standard tree clusters which will be strategically placed on the perimeter of the playground to provide filtered views into the castle grounds and from within the castle building.

Boundary screen planting:

The Parks Department have completed additional screen planting, to include more evergreen planting along the boundary with 10A The Woodlands and along the rear boundary of The Parklands.

The Parks Department have also undertaken to provide additional screen planting along the boundaries with The Woodlands and The Lakelands.  The planting will be carried out in the autumn/winter of this year.

Existing seating bench:

The existing seating bench on The Woodlands side of the playground will be removed by the Parks Department upon completion of construction works. 

Signage:

The existing car park adjacent to Rathfarnham Road will provide parking for access to the playground.  Prior to the opening of the playground, the Parks Department have undertaken to provide signage at the following locations to indicate parking for the playground: